”Man ska inte vara kvar i sina känslor i det här arbetet” - En kvalitativ studie om emotionell påverkan hos nya respektive erfarna socialsekreterare

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how new and experienced social workers within child and youth services in Sweden experience and manage emotional impact in their professional roles. Based on five semi-structured interviews, the study applies a sociological perspective on emotions, primarily Hochschild's theory of emotional labour, alongside concepts such as secondary traumatization, burnout, and coping strategies. The findings reveal that both new and experienced social workers are emotionally affected by their work, although their coping strategies differ. Newly graduated social workers report high emotional burden and insecurity, while experienced practitioners tend to establish emotional boundaries and clearer separations between work and personal life. Key coping strategies include collegial support, supervision, and the ability to separate work from private life. The study highlights the importance of supportive work environments and sustainable coping methods, particularly for newly employed social workers, in order to prevent emotional exhaustion and promote professional longevity.